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Bring the art to everyone: Sydney street photography exhibition

For those of you that know me know that I am slightly obsessed with photography, exhibitions that are open for everyone and a bit of troublemaking, non-approved activity that benefits communities. So the ‘not approved’ photography exhibition that is currently on show between Goulbourn and Campbell streets in Sydney has caught my attention and I finally got the pleasure of seeing this yesterday. It was installed in September and features the work of photographers Dean Sewell, James Brickwood, Nic Walker, James ‘Blondie’ Alcock, George Voulgaropoulos and Andrew Quilty. This series of street photography was put up one night without council permission (see this article from the Sydney Morning Herald)

Dean Sewell divides Sydney’s creative class into two categories: those who contribute, and the ”culture vultures” who don’t.

The council has decided to let this photography exhibition stay up which I think is a smart decision. I love that this exhibition is here for everyone and would love to see more of this happen in Sydney. We have so many interesting buildings and locations that can be utilised for art. As I was taking these images for my blog two people walking past me commented.

Hey check out these photos-isn’t that weird?

At first I thought this was a criticism but the more I think about it I believe it is great that these people noticed this exhibition. They acknowledged its presence and looked at the photographs. If this was advertising they would have walked straight past and probably not mentioned anything.

I’d love to see more exhibitions turn up all around Sydney that will bring a sense of surprise, openness to art that will hopefully start conversations and allow people to engage in culture. Well done to the organisers and I hope it stays up a bit longer.